Do you have questions about what it means to become an Officer in The Salvation Army? Eva Burrows College trains and develops the character and capacity of individuals wanting to become Salvation Army officers, training them to be empowered spiritual leaders who impact the world with Jesus Christ's mission, compassion, and love.
Every leader needs the right setting to flourish. Officership provides an amazing environment for ministry leaders to grow and thrive, to live out God's purpose in one's life and to lead and serve others well. If you have a growing sense that God is calling you into full-time ministry or feel led to serve him in some way we invite you to read the FAQs below and contact us via phone or email to continue to explore your call.
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Messengers of Reconciliation 2020 |
What is a Salvation Army officer?
Officers are the equivalent of full-time clergy in other Christian denominations. A person must be a soldier of The Salvation Army before they can become an officer. An officer is a full-time minister of religion - trained and commissioned (ordained) by The Salvation Army - and is committed to the wider vision of The Salvation Army.
What is Officership?
Officership refers to the period of active service of an officer who is an ordained minister of The Salvation Army. It provides an amazing environment for ministry leaders to grow and thrive, to live out God’s purpose in one’s life, and to lead and serve others well.
What happens after the training?
After ordination, officers are appointed to various roles in The Salvation Army across Australia, which could include church leadership, social programs, or management according to their skills and experiences.
Why become a Salvation Army officer?
A Salvation Army officer is someone who wants to be a change agent in the world today by making a difference in the lives of people and bringing about transformation in communities by living out God’s mission, compassion and love. This form of spiritual leadership covers an amazing variety of roles from corps officership (leading a local congregation) through to chaplaincy and social services. Some describe it as a “calling”, that deep sense that God is calling you out of one vocation to another and for some the calling is to full-time ministry as a Salvation Army officer.
How does Eva Burrows College equip you for the life of an officer?
We are committed to a training model that is holistic, individualised, marked by flexibility, and
case managed. The Eva Burrows College Officer Formation stream is responsible for training people to become officers.
Training is approached holistically and with the recognition that one size does not fit all. Officers are formed not by a focus upon a few areas of personal preference and expertise, but by engaging in a holistic approach that considers the breadth of who we are as individuals and the complexity of officership today.
Also, officers in their first five years will continue to be supported by the Officer Formation Team who are here to encourage every graduate to build on the foundations laid during their time as a cadet.
What is the three-fold formation of training?
The holistic approach of training officers of The Salvation Army is delivered through a threefoldprocess which integrates theological and educational formation, spiritual and personal formation and mission and ministry formation.
1. Spiritual and Personal Formation
Our focus is upon deepening your self-knowledge as well as your responsiveness to the gracious presence of God in your life and your practice of key spiritual disciplines. A range of opportunities (from class-based to experiential practices, to personal reflection) will all contribute to this process.
2. Theological and Educational Formation
Our focus is upon developing a required level of educational and theological literacy. Key educational units will help you to develop the broad theoretical foundation which will serve as the building blocks for your future learning, intentional reflection, and practice of mission and ministry.
3. Mission and Ministry Formation
Our focus is upon engaging with a variety of mission and ministry opportunities and contexts
to apply learning in practice. Though it is a learning environment, the opportunities for mission and ministry are in real settings and will be a key element of training.
Learn More About Becoming an Officer
If you have a growing sense that God is calling you into full-time ministry or feel led to serve him in some way, contact us on:
P: +61 3 9847 5400
E: candidates@salvationarmy.org.au